How many times have you said to your dearest friends that it has been “too long” since you got together?
How long has it been since you actually took a day with the sole focus of feeding your spirit, nurturing your own needs and took a break from the caregiving you provide to your family, your partner, and the details of running a household and a business?
Give yourself permission to do just so. Gather the women in your life that are like Sacred Soul Sisters to you!
Join us for a day designed around your needs and your desires.
Includes guided group meditation,ritual circle or art project, private intuitive reading, lunch at Twinkle’s Place or Vittle’s Restaurant. Minimum of 4 and up to 12 participants. This is a day-retreat. Should you seek overnight accommodations, please ask and we can assist.
Schedule a date.Tell us your preferences. We will set in motion a day filled with sacredness, healing, relaxation, joy – quiet contemplation or silence if you want it – laughter and jubilation if that is what you wish.
The amazing Jessie Washington will be leading a workshop this month at Ferry Beach‘s Women’s Week conference on August 16th at 2:00PM:
Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning is delighted to co-facilitate this workshop with her dear friend Jessie. Her portion will focus on the “heart” of the matter and include a heart-based meditation.
Ferry Beach is a Unitarian Universalist retreat center. It is a magical place on the beach where you can bask in the afternoon sun, take morning walks through the grove of sunlit trees and enjoy the company of others as they travel along this journey called life. Ferry Beach offers a loving community of people, healthy, delicious food, good coffee, lots of music, and time for reflection–in addition to a frolic in the surf. It is a wonderful place to attend workshops or cultivate a spiritual practice as you connect with Mother Earth.
August’s celebration of the New Moon is both familiar and unique. As with each New Moon we are invited to call in what we most want to see made manifest in our lives. New Moons are opportunities for new beginnings and creativity. Leo’s New Moon even more so as self-expression and creativity are prime aspects this August. We are reminded that:
“Creativity – like human life itself – begins in darkness.”
– Julia Cameron
And that the cloak of darkness offered by the New Moon can be a time of great transparency which leads to healing.
Mystic Mamma contributor, Pat Lilies, talks about this period of Mercury retrograde being a time of deep rage being released. Many have experienced the collateral damage of such energies. Many of us have had to seek ways to take the higher road in the face of those thrusting nefarious intentions our way. We have had to navigate around miscommunications, misunderstandings, and strive to create realignments of unity often in vain as the reconciliation of such is sometimes impossible in immediate ways when those caught up Ego’s propelling force block paths to peace.
But this does not mean we cannot generate our own inner-peace. We are encouraged to stay close to our hearts, listen to our soul’s callings and compassionately stand in our convictions to embrace positive outcomes. In doing so, platforms for justice and beneficial energetic transitions can be created. Chad Woodward encourages us that August is a time when we can,
“Revitalize and begin a process of recovering purpose, strength, presence…”
As you create your intentions this New Moon, consider your deepest desires. Release any hold others have on your peace of mind, and your ability to achieve success. Know that this could be a time of upheaval and that to make room for the new, the old must be cleared. Be prepared to let go before things are taken from you. And observe the malfeasance first before you respond. As spoken by mystic Jason Estes:
“Welcome to August, this is the month where it all begins so much shifting and changing and growing pains will occur this month massive purges on ideals, structures and very huge emotional turmoil will come to the surface, all of that which you are about to step into is stuff that has been here, none of it will be new understand while it will look like we are going backwards these events and feelings and emotions are coming up for the final time on the earth so sit with them do not react to them just simply listen feel into them and then respond in a way that doesn’t hurt anyone.”
And, in Jason’s his Eleven Secrets, he reminds us:
“Secret 3: Gratitude makes room for more.”
May you enjoy the blessings of multiplying gratitude this New Moon.
Focus on that. Yes, focus on gratitude. Focus on love.
Know that when you face that which your heart-of-love cannot comprehend, you can transmute it to reach a higher purpose. Moment by moment. Love is much stronger than hate.
Should you wish to join our covenant circle to celebrate the New Moons together, email Twinkle. All who seek spiritual sanctuary in benevolence and peace are welcome.
From logo to liturgy, what is the (real) story of the Flaming Chalice?
Vol. I of the Chalice Capers begins today.
For the past four decades, the Flaming Chalice has become the undisputed symbol of Unitarian Universalism. Yet its origin as the logo of the Unitarian Service Committee during its efforts to bring refugees out of occupied Europe obscures our vision of it’s history.
The question remains, how did this very flat, very one-dimensional, logo become a very real, very three-dimensional, mainstay of our worship life?
Hosts Susan Ritchie and Sean Neil-Barron head to Oxford, Ohio tracking down a lead in the first of a multipart series on the (real) history of the Flaming Chalice.
For more information, and to listen to this series, visit:
Many of the women who have been emailing me this month have been inquiring about summer retreats. At this time, we do not have any planned. However, because so many have asked, I am happy to host a “beach day” with my sister, Laura, this August. Most likely Searsport with breakfast at Coastal Cafe.
This will a be spur of the moment event, so if you are among those interested, please send us an email, and to be included in our modern day “phone tree” please include your cell # so we can text as well as email you when the date is set. Also include your area of interest.
My sister is a doula so is ready to lead a discussion about that. I am a poet and a writer – I encourage everyone to bring a journal to write in.
I also encourage you to read, Anne Morrow’s Gift from the Sea – it is a timeless classic for women reflecting on where they are on their journeys, where they see themselves going, and how to prioritize by letting go and lifting up in order to have a full life they love.
And, for those living in Florida (or interested in a travel retreat), I will be hosting a Gift from the Sea workshop in New Smyrna Beach in January 2017. I will post the details of this and other Florida events soon. For more information, email:
As part of our ministry in small town Maine, we strive to share Unitarian Universalism within Pittsfield and neighboring communities, and with the world. The Internet makes this mission far more accessible with treasures like The Pamphlet Podcast. We are delighted to share this episode as it explores more deeply the history of Mt. Auburn.
Each New Moon is a time we dedicate to explore our UU 7th Principle and Pagan Path in connection with the sixth source we draw our Unitarian Universalist faith from. It is a wonderful time to check in with where we are at on our spiritual paths, and where we want to be going.
The practice of honoring the New Moon cycle helps us align our lives with that which we feel most called to.
Some have worked hard at healing – others have been stuck in would-be healing patterns – it is time to release all of these and simply move forward in the embodiment of love. The New Moon on July 4th is the ideal time to do just so.
Forever Conscious offers some insights as to how to surrender stuck patterns and embrace the path of love.
Mystic Mamma also offers advice on how to attune to one’s intuition. As well as in understanding such Divine Wisdom as stated by Elias Longsdale:
The blessing is what happens when you let go of the need, the pressure, the idea that it has to be a certain way. For there is a gift in being all ways and no particular way at all.
and too the importance of:
Seeing each point of view as valid. Listening attentively to all the voices as they reveal the many sides of the way it is.
The Power Path says release past worries and increase self care:
It is time to move on from all of it, to put yourself first, to forgive others and to allow the transformation that wants to happen to begin to unfold.
Be patient with others, accommodate them in your life, care for yourself. … And spend time in water.
May you immerse in the watery depths of peace and calmness during this new moon phase.
Let your intuition be attuned to listening to your inner knowings while paying attention to the manifestation of outward signs.
There is much grace to be instilled in this new moon.
Float and flow with the motions of gentle, loving energies.
Seek your Soul’s trusted companions and allow your connection to be blessed in Truth, Kindness and Love.
This is one of the messages I was looking for earlier this Spring when it became evident of what was going on locally in the Pittsfield UU Church.
It is critical for congregational leaders to really, deeply acknowledge and understand that the congregation is the people – not the church. The congregation is the people. Meet them where they are, nourish them, and allow them to grow.
I’ve tried to hold out hope – for hope’s sake. But someone close has said the writing has been on the wall since before I moved here about the demise of this particular would-be UU church.
Congregational Life and authentic welcome is critical to the life of a church.
Back to Zero is often necessary before positive shifts can happen.
What is the mission?
What is the purpose?
It is critical to give attention to these rather than pandering to the constituencies already here among us.
And to have the faith to say Yes more often to nuanced ideas and encourage the champions and leaders of our congregations to have leadership roles.
Yes, fill leadership positions with Leaders…And let them Lead.
Leaders who have a bold vision for our congregations.
And a bold vision for how Unitarian Universalism can positively impact the world.
Our congregation can be more than a shrine to distant memories.
Our congregation can be a place where we gather together for spiritual exploration.
Collaborating with other neighboring congregations.
Reaching out to those in our communities seeking spiritual sanctuary and a place to call their spiritual home.
On Sunday, July 3rd Twinkle is leading services at First Universalist Church of Pittsfield in Maine. She is collaborating with Jason Curran, an amazing musician.
Together they will explore the sacred with those present.
The theme of the service and Twinkle’s sermon title is:
“In Our Own Image”
There are many ways Unitarian Universalists approach the topic of God.
This service clarifies the realities of conscious and unconscious worshipping.
Sunday, July 3rd – 9:45 AM
For other services by Twinkle and Jason, visit here.
What Twinkle has to say about the creation of this service:
“The idea is that we all worship something. And what we choose to worship can help us make sense out of life, even when life seems senseless. What we choose to worship can comfort us, bring us joy, and have us greeting each morning in gratitude. Or, what we choose to worship can eat us alive. We get to choose to whom we belong, which ‘god’ we will obey. The first step toward doing so is to understand the distinctions of conscious and unconscious worshipping. Also, Jason and I composed a song together for this service based on an old hymn. I find great meaning in doing this kind of co-creation together.”
